A volunteer spotlight with one of the longest-running volunteers on the Big Island.

by Susan Lacke

Each year, 3,000 athletes, 5,000 volunteers, over 500 staff and media representatives, and throngs of spectators descend upon the 35.6 square miles of Kailua-Kona for the IRONMAN World Championship. Though this sounds like a recipe for a maddening traffic jam, somehow everyone seamlessly and safely gets where they need to go on race day. Much of this is because of the tireless work of Claudia Kane, who has volunteered as Director of Access Management for the esteemed event since 2010.

Kane is the mastermind behind the wristbands, badges, and vehicle decals that bring order to the week and keep things running smoothly. Using a detailed color-coding strategy, Kane’s system makes quick work out of directing the flow of human and vehicular traffic surrounding race day. Each athlete, staff member, media representative, vendor, volunteer, and VIP is assigned a wristband or badge that provides a quick guide for the areas they can (and cannot) enter.

In addition to creating efficient, stress-free movement on an otherwise hectic day, the system provides an added layer of safety.

"Back when I started volunteering, credentialing was minimal," says Kane. "Unfortunately, with scenes that have played out across the globe, we have had to take a proactive look at how our system works in order to deal with the reality of crowd control in this age."

Working with IRONMAN’s Public Safety team, Kane created a system that includes color coded badges and wristband complete with QR codes that instantly bring up a given person’s information. Badges also include photos for quick identity verification.

In all, Kane oversees the approval and distribution of more than 2,200 badges, 5,000 volunteer wristbands, and 1,000 vehicle decals each year. But credentialing isn’t a rubber-stamp procedure: Kane’s work starts several months prior to the race by reaching out to various staff, vendors, and event departments to begin the process and ensure enough time for a thorough review of each person requesting a credential.

"As my work takes place behind the scenes, I doubt most people have any idea of the time it takes for the preparation, thought, and execution of the position. It spans multiple months – collecting and vetting credential requests, and producing materials and distribution.'

Once an applicant has submitted their information to IRONMAN, it is carefully evaluated and verified by Kane’s team. An access level is assigned that corresponds with restricted areas of the race a person is allowed to enter, such as the Energy Lab or finish line area. Badges and wristbands are printed shortly before race week, and individuals must show their identification at pick-up in order to receive their credentials. It’s tedious work, but Kane loves it because she knows she’s creating a safe and enjoyable event for all.

"In this time of increased need for security, we are proud of our credentialing system and the ability to get people and vehicles where they need to be on race day. It’s important to keep everyone happy and safe," she says.

After October, you can find Kane relaxing at home in Kailua-Kona with her family and pets, which include several dogs and a mynah bird. She also spends her time in another volunteer role alongside her husband as co-director of LavaKids, a non-profit that encourages and promotes a healthy and active lifestyle for Hawai’i Island youth through free fun runs, guest speakers, summer camps, and other programming.